I think that by taking actions now such as using only cold water for laundry, turning off unused lights, turning our computer monitors black, taking five minute showers, washing dishes and laundry with only full loads, recycling, turning heat down in the winter and having a warmer air conditioner setting in the summer are all simple and easy practices that are easy to do now.
Recycling, reducing, retrofitting faucets and plumbing items, repair are all things we can do that will reduce energy use. There are more R words, I can't remember just now. Alternative energy like wind, solar and hydro should also be important considerations for all homes and communities.
Yes, these are all easy habits that can make a difference over a lifetime and accumulated when many people do these things. However, industry (and not just textiles) is a HUGE contributor to global warming, and a difficult one for individuals to impact. WRiting letters to legislators and other government and civic leaders can help pass legislation to require industry to reduce greenhouse emissions.
Also choosing to support copmanies that are already moving in taht direction. You'd be surprised by how many are, for example Liz Caliborne supports renewable energy and other environmentally repsonsible practices.
Ultimately I think there will (there must be) a huge shift in our scoiety and how we consume thing. This does not mean returning to the "olddays" but instead a combination of old and new... Looking to nature as a model for innvoation. In fact, we can nopt live sustainably as pioneers or outdoors folk. Bathing in rivers and burning firewood are terrible for the environment. I believe we are heading towards mass urbanization (localizing environment impact ultimately lessens it), and also a reviatlistaion of local and regional communities and economies - buying locally grown and produced food and commodities.
Of coures if we wait too long therer will be a lot more suffering for it, btu I do believe ultimately humans iwll overcome even global warming, it's just a question of huw much damge will be done before we make major chagnes.
Check this out on local growing and eating:
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